Cruise
Azamara to Upgrade its Two Ships
Azamara Club Cruises reports that its two ships – Azamara Journey and Azamara Quest – will undergo “major upgrades” while in dry dock in early 2016. The mid-size ships that accommodate up to 686 guests will be outfitted with new venues, public spaces and technologies to bring fresh services and amenities to guests. According to officials, no area on the line’s ships will be left untouched. The upgrades include all staterooms and suites, dining, spa and entertainment. “We are best known for our Land Discoveries programs which have enabled us to boast an unprecedented...
Cunard to Celebrate 175th in Halifax
Cunard's Queen Mary 2 will embark on the capstone of Cunard’s 175th worldwide anniversary celebrations with a commemorative transatlantic crossing departing from Liverpool, England, paying tribute to the original voyage made by the company’s first flagship, Britannia, on July 4, 1840. This journey inaugurated the first scheduled mail and passenger service across the Atlantic and Cunard will be celebrating this historic milestone in three cities which hold a special place in the company’s storied past – Halifax, Boston and New York. Queen Mary 2, Cunard’s reigning flagship,...
Encore Cruise Packages Now Available in Sirev
Encore Cruises' cruise packages are now available in Sirev. With more than 1,000 Caribbean and Europe cruise packages to choose from aboard Carnival Cruise Lines, Holland America Line, Costa Cruises, MSC Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line & Royal Caribbean International, agents can now book a cruise package as easy as an ITC package. “Encore Cruises is the first tour operator to offer dynamic air, cruise and transfer packages in Sirev,” said Nathalie Tanious, vice-president of Cruises at TravelBrands. “This is an incredible milestone for TravelBrands. We are bringing improved...
‘Summer Sizzle’
Encore Cruises is bringing agents the summer heat with a special new incentive called “Summer Sizzle,” which in partnership with Royal Caribbean will award 15 agents $500 each. Running through June 30, agents simply need to book and apply payment on any Royal Caribbean cruise of seven nights or more, in any category, that departs any time before Dec. 31 and their name will automatically be entered in a draw to win one of 15 $500 Visa gift cards. Draws will be held and winners announced at the end of the booking window. Bookings can be made by phone or online to...
European Waterways Introduces New Burgundy Route
European Waterways reports that its new luxury hotel barge, Finesse, poised to launch its maiden season in May 2016, will be cruising a new route as part of the company’s continuing expansion of vessels and services. An eight-passenger, deluxe double-decker vessel, the Finesse will cruise the River Saône and Canal du Centre in Southern Burgundy through vineyards and past historic towns and villages. Staffed by a crew of five, Finesse will feature a demonstration galley where guests can watch the onboard master chef preparing the daily gourmet meals. Cabins will start at $6,290...
Scenic Introduces First Canadian Godmother
Canadian author, TV personality and travel expert Claire Newell has been named the godmother of Scenic’s newest Space-Ship, the Scenic Opal. Newell will be Canada’s first Scenic godparent. She is the owner and president of Travel Best Bets and is an expert on most travel topics – from family travel tips to current events affecting the industry. She will be joined by Scenic chairman Glen Moroney at a special ship christening ceremony in Cochem, Germany. “We are very pleased that Ms. Newell has agreed to be the Opal’s godmother,” said Moroney. “Canada is a great market...
Cruise into the Sunset on the ‘New’ Niagara Belle
A new Niagara boat tour allows passengers to soak up the beauty and history of the Niagara River from the decks of a fully restored New Orleans-style paddle wheeler. The Niagara Belle, which previously operated as a cruise boat in Toronto Harbour on Lake Ontario and in the Upper Niagara River, has been given a new lease on life by Niagara Sunset Cruises, sister company to Whirlpool Jet Boat Tours of Niagara-on-the-Lake. Niagara Sunset Cruises bought the boat in 2013 and gave it a complete overhaul, including more than $1 million in renovations. After running private charter trips...
Windstar Extends Canadian Residents Promotion
Windstar Cruises has extended its “Canadian Residents” promotion featuring an additional 10% savings on a range of itineraries for 2015 including French and Italian Rivieras, Greek Isles & Turkey, Italy, Spain and Tahiti voyages. These additional savings are on top of Windstar’s already reduced standard fares and are combinable with Windstar’s Free Shore Excursions package offer on select Greece and Eastern Mediterranean departures, as well as the Tahiti cruise, air and hotel package offer currently in the marketplace. This special, limited-time offer is available...